Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Platform Tennis Shoe Review - K-Swiss Ultrascendor
Updated 4.21.15...like all great shoes, the Ultrascendor came and went and is no more. It has (fortunately) been replaced by a new K-Swiss model called the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express LTR and you can read about it here:
Men's K-Swiss Hypercourt Express LTR
Ladies K-Swiss Hypercourt Express LTR
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Original K-Swiss Ultrascendor Review:
What makes this shoe such a great platform tennis shoe & paddle tennis shoe?
The fact that the Ultrascendor has been our top-selling platform tennis shoe and paddle tennis shoe the last five years for both men and women gives us plenty of customer feedback to share (as well as our own 2 cents!). The most important criteria for most customers seeking platform tennis sneakers are comfort and durability. Cushioning for comfort to both the foot and the knee is important with all the short, fast movements the sport requires. This shoe offers it without having the heavy feel of many super padded shoes. Great traction with durability on the abrasive court surface is another key requirement. This shoe satisfies both very well and offers a fit that works for SO MANY of our customer's feet (even the tricky ones!). Want more details? Read on...
Cushioning
This shoe offers K-Swiss' Shock Spring technology for superior cushioning in the heel and forefoot. Our customers often comment on the comfort (yet supportive) cush-i-ness they feel as soon as they put the shoe on.
Durability
K-Swiss 7.0 System is a combination of technologies to deliver the highest level of performance from the outsole. It uses a special Aosta 7.0 rubber compound for unsurpassed durability from the front of the shoe to the heel. With Durawrap which extends up and across the front of the toe box for toe-dragging protection. Lastly, Dragguard is a technology located in the high wear areas of the heel and toe for increased abrasion resistance.
Fit
This is considered an average width shoe from K-Swiss. However, with a generous toe-box and great lacing system, it offers plenty of fit for most wider feet (even up to 3E) but can be snugged up nicely to fit narrow to average feet comfortably without looking bunchy. This is one of, it not the most adaptable fitting shoes we sell.
Other:
The inside of the heel area is lined with a material called "Heel Grip" which is made of interlocking fibers that grip the sock to minimize heel slippage. And lastly, the funky looking, wavy laces are called "Stay-tied" laces. The waves act as a "catch" to keep the lace from coming untied (and they really work!!!)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Platform Tennis Ball & Paddle Ball Review
Hmmm, which platform tennis ball should I buy?
For those of you who are new to platform tennis, you should know that the balls are sold in sleeves of three. They are heavier than a tennis ball, with a rubber core and a very short pile layer of felt-like fuzz called flocking. You will typically use 1 ball per session of play and this ball will be discarded at the end of the match (because it will be "balding"). The combination of the grit on the paddle faces (for enhanced spin) and the grit on the courts result in the flocking being torn from the ball's surface during play. We sell a fairly even balanced mix of each brand and for 2012 both brands have had no quality issues to speak of.
PLATFORM TENNIS BALL CHOICES:
For tournament or league play, you have a choice between Wilson Platform Tennis Balls and Viking Platforma Tennis Balls. Yellow has always been the standard color, but pink balls and Viking's Orange ball have both gained traction in the past year as they are also certified for league play. Wilson's yellow ball has been getting a bit of added buzz for their brighter optic yellow color making them easier to see which several of our players have commented on.
Wilson Tournament Ball - comes in a bright neon fluorescent yellow both of which provide great visibility. Wilson's ball is engineered from a unique rubber compound that provides a consistent bounce, point after point and a scientifically developed flocking adhesive that is exclusive only to Wilson.
Viking Extra Duty Ball - Termed Extra Duty (but really no more so than Wilson), this ball claims to have longer lasting flocking and durability. Advanced flocking process provides the perfect surface texture for maximum ball spin and control. Now available in Pink (Viking Extra Duty Pink Ball) or Orange (Viking Extra Duty Orange Ball).
BEACH TENNIS BALL:
Check out the Pro Penn QST60 ... This is a foam core tennis ball that plays somewhat like a depressurized tennis ball but with a softer, less "dead" feel and more consistent bounce.
For those of you who are new to platform tennis, you should know that the balls are sold in sleeves of three. They are heavier than a tennis ball, with a rubber core and a very short pile layer of felt-like fuzz called flocking. You will typically use 1 ball per session of play and this ball will be discarded at the end of the match (because it will be "balding"). The combination of the grit on the paddle faces (for enhanced spin) and the grit on the courts result in the flocking being torn from the ball's surface during play. We sell a fairly even balanced mix of each brand and for 2012 both brands have had no quality issues to speak of.
PLATFORM TENNIS BALL CHOICES:
For tournament or league play, you have a choice between Wilson Platform Tennis Balls and Viking Platforma Tennis Balls. Yellow has always been the standard color, but pink balls and Viking's Orange ball have both gained traction in the past year as they are also certified for league play. Wilson's yellow ball has been getting a bit of added buzz for their brighter optic yellow color making them easier to see which several of our players have commented on.
Wilson Tournament Ball - comes in a bright neon fluorescent yellow both of which provide great visibility. Wilson's ball is engineered from a unique rubber compound that provides a consistent bounce, point after point and a scientifically developed flocking adhesive that is exclusive only to Wilson.
Viking Extra Duty Ball - Termed Extra Duty (but really no more so than Wilson), this ball claims to have longer lasting flocking and durability. Advanced flocking process provides the perfect surface texture for maximum ball spin and control. Now available in Pink (Viking Extra Duty Pink Ball) or Orange (Viking Extra Duty Orange Ball).
BEACH TENNIS BALL:
Check out the Pro Penn QST60 ... This is a foam core tennis ball that plays somewhat like a depressurized tennis ball but with a softer, less "dead" feel and more consistent bounce.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Get your Pickleball Gear Here!
NEW at Bell Racquet Sports...Pickleball paddles, balls and gear. Featuring S-Type paddles made in the USA! Check it out
Come in and demo one today with our try before you
buy DEMO program! Sign out up to 3 at a time and give them a test run to help you find the right paddle for you!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Babolat RPM Blast string review
What is it and who should use it?
Why all the hype??? Rafa uses it!!! Here's what Racquet Sports Industry Magazine says...RPM Blast (Revolutions Per Minute) is a monofilament string that gives players more spin, more power and a unique feel at ball impact. “With this new string, I have more spin, and it helps me hit deeper. We have worked hard with Babolat,” explains Rafael Nadal. Read the full article at RSI.com
We're getting bombarded with inquiries about this string. Our advice...this string is not for everyone! It should be used only by those accomplished tennis players who seek maximum control and who hit consistently with topspin form (no this string is not going to increase ball spin if you don't know how to hit with spin in the first place). Keep in mind that this string is Polyester, therefore in general it is not going to help you hit with power, is very stiff and not very comfortable on the arm.
Still want it? Get RPM Blast here, or bring your racquet in for us to string so you can try it for yourself.
Why all the hype??? Rafa uses it!!! Here's what Racquet Sports Industry Magazine says...RPM Blast (Revolutions Per Minute) is a monofilament string that gives players more spin, more power and a unique feel at ball impact. “With this new string, I have more spin, and it helps me hit deeper. We have worked hard with Babolat,” explains Rafael Nadal. Read the full article at RSI.com
We're getting bombarded with inquiries about this string. Our advice...this string is not for everyone! It should be used only by those accomplished tennis players who seek maximum control and who hit consistently with topspin form (no this string is not going to increase ball spin if you don't know how to hit with spin in the first place). Keep in mind that this string is Polyester, therefore in general it is not going to help you hit with power, is very stiff and not very comfortable on the arm.
Still want it? Get RPM Blast here, or bring your racquet in for us to string so you can try it for yourself.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Want your racquetball racquet supercharged? Get in line!
With a 24 hour turnaround, our service department is always hopping! Never had your racquet professionally serviced? Maybe it's time you consider it. If you've just gotten by with your factory strings, grip etc. and are ready to optimize your racquet's performance, send it in to us. Not sure what you need done? We're here to help. Use the following resources to get you started...
Questions? Call us at 1-800-724-9439
Monday, March 15, 2010
What's the buzz? Thoughts on string vibration
Squelching String VibrationBy Bruce Bell
It seems that on a daily basis we are asked, “does that little do-hickey people use in their racquet strings really do anything?”
Our answer…Yes.
That little thing customers refer to is a String Vibration Dampener. It can significantly quiet down string noise and dampen string vibration created by the ball impacting the strings. We like to note that it is NOT a cure for tennis elbow, nor will it prevent tennis elbow.
For players who are more serious about their game and like to feel and hear all of the string's feedback upon ball impact, we do not recommend using a string damper.
Dampeners are easy to install, come in many varieties and should be placed below the lower-most cross string, centered between the vertical strings.
Note: USTA Rules require that string dampeners are placed beneath (or on) the bottom cross string, not above it.
shop our selection of string vibration dampers.
It seems that on a daily basis we are asked, “does that little do-hickey people use in their racquet strings really do anything?”
Our answer…Yes.
That little thing customers refer to is a String Vibration Dampener. It can significantly quiet down string noise and dampen string vibration created by the ball impacting the strings. We like to note that it is NOT a cure for tennis elbow, nor will it prevent tennis elbow.
For players who are more serious about their game and like to feel and hear all of the string's feedback upon ball impact, we do not recommend using a string damper.
Dampeners are easy to install, come in many varieties and should be placed below the lower-most cross string, centered between the vertical strings.
Note: USTA Rules require that string dampeners are placed beneath (or on) the bottom cross string, not above it.
shop our selection of string vibration dampers.
So many paddle sports! What's your fav?
It's true...we get a number of questions daily about the differences between the many paddle sports people play worldwide. It's also true that we hear of variations of the main paddle sports we're aware of almost as frequently! Paddle sports are spreading like wildfire, appealing to so many because of the low cost of entry and the sheer enjoyment people get from playing a sport outdoors that can vary in competitiveness from a fun social game to a serious, sanctioned competitive sport.
Read up on the 3 main paddle sports here...Paddle Tennis, Platform Tennis and Beach Tennis
Share with us...we'd love to hear from you about where you live and what you play...
No matter which variety you favor, enjoy every minute of it...live, laugh, play!
Read up on the 3 main paddle sports here...Paddle Tennis, Platform Tennis and Beach Tennis
Share with us...we'd love to hear from you about where you live and what you play...
No matter which variety you favor, enjoy every minute of it...live, laugh, play!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Welcome to our Blog
Thanks for taking the time to check us out! If you are as addicted to racquet sports as we are, share your enthusiasm with us here.
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